Egg-crate lid.



H. H. BOENKER.

EGG GRATE LID.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2, 1909.

Patented Mar. 29, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

jhmnw W4 Swansea H. H. BOENKER.

EGG CRATE LID.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 2, 1909.

Patented Mar. 29, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

mmxw w NoRzw n. GMHA'M co. PHOTOL TNQGNAPHERS WASHING:

HENRY H. BOENKFJR, OF ST. CHARLES, MISSOURI.

EGG-CRATE LID.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY H. BOENKER, citizen of the United States, residing at St. Charles, in the county of St. Charles and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Egg-Crate Lids, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to produce a simple, cheap and efficient lid for crates and the like, and is adapted to be used particularly with boxes, cases or crates used chiefly for shipping eggs.

The invention embodies a change in the ordinarily constructed box or crate, namely, that of extending its ends a slight distance above the plane of the top of the same, whereby the lid may be protected and air may circulate between the boxes when the same are piled on top of one another in transportation or cold storage.

My lid is so made that it may be rapidly placed on and removed from the body of a crate and is capable of being securely locked or merely fastened to said crate.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of the parts hereinafter fully described, illus trated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings forming a part of the specification: Figure 1 is a view in perspective, of a crate and lid constructed in accordance with this invention, the lid being shown partly removed from the crate;

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the lid and crate, the lid being shown applied; Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 38 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows; and, Fig. at a fragmentary top plan view of the lid, showing a n'lodification of the locking means i herefor.

Corresponding and like parts are refcu-red to in the following description and indirated in all the views of the accompanying drawings by the same reference characters.

in carrying out my invention 1 provide a crate 1 having the usual central transverse partition 2 and eggi'eceiving cells 3. The ends 4 of the crate 1 are extended as at 5 above the plane of the top of the box and are provided on their outer faces with cleats (I which facilitate handling the crate. Keepers 7 are provided on the inner faces of the end extensions 5 and run the full Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 2, 1909.

Patented Mar. 29, 1910.

Serial No. 499,677.

width thereof, and in the present instance are shown in the form of angle irons having one wing portion fastened to said extensions and the other wing portion facing inwardly so as to project over the top of the box. This completes the description of my improved crate, which may be made of metal, wood or other suitable material.

In constructing my new and improved lid 8 I provide a piece of flat sheet metal as long and wider than the body of the crate 1. The longitudinal edges of the lid are bent down wardly at right angles thereto forming flanges 9 which are adapted to embrace opposite sides of the crate to which it is applied. One end of the plate forming the lid 8 is bent upwardly to form a flange 10 which fits tight against the vertical portion of the adjacent keeper 7, the end of the lid resting on the horizontal portion. The other end of the lid is inserted under the horizontal portion of the other keeper. it will be seen that the flanges F) prevent transverse move ment of the lid while the flange 10 aids in preventing endwise movement thereof. As the means for fastening the lid 8 to the crate body 1, I provide a plate or leaf 11 which is hinged at 12 to the under surface of said lid. This plate 11 is provided with an apertured ear 13 which is adapted to pass through an opening 14 in the lid 8 when it and the leaf 11 are brought together. A spring bolt 15 is secured to the lid 8 and passes through the ear 13, thereby locking the leaf 11 to the lid, when the same is placed in position. In Fig. 4 I have shown a padlock 15 in lieu of the spring bolt 15, whereby the lid may be locked to the crate. Chains or cords 16 connect the lid 8 and leaf 11 on opposite sides a short distance from the hinge 12 and prevent the leaf 11 opening too far when applying the same. A handle 17 is provided cen trally of the lid, whereby the same may be conveniently applied or removed.

lVhen placing the lid upon the crate one end thereof is inserted beneath the horizontal flange of one of the keepers, the lid being inclined to enable the outer end of the hinged leaf 11 to pass beneath the horizontal flange of the opposite keeper when bringing the lid to a horizontal position. .lhen the lid is closed upon the crate or box one end thereof is confined beneath. the keeper at the corresponding end of the crate, and the horizontal. flange of the keeper at the opposite end of the crate is confined between the hinged plate 11 and the lid 8 as shown most clearly in Fig. 2. The parts are held in place by passing a lock device through the opening in the projecting end of the ear 13. Endwise movement of the lid is prevented by the extensions 5 and the transverse movement of the lid is prevented by the flanges 9 in the manner stated.

From the foregoing specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that I have provided a device which is inexpensive in construction and consists of few parts which are easily assembled.

Iaving thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. The combination of a crate, a lid, means for inovably connecting one end of the lid to the adjacent side of the crate, a keeper projecting perpendicularly from the opposite side of the crate below the other end of the lid to form a rest therefor in the closed position of the same, a leaf hinged at one end to the under side of the lid intermediate of the ends thereof, the free end of the leaf being inserted under the keeper when the lid and leaf are closed upon each other and upon the crate, and securing means for hold ing the lid and leaf closed upon each other, whereby to lock the parts in closed position upon the crate.

2. The combination of a crate, a lid, means for movably connecting one end of the lid to the adjacent side of the crate, an angle iron secured to the opposite side of the crate and projecting inwardly therefrom below the other end of the lid to constitute a rest therefor in the closed position of the same, a leaf hinged at one end to the under side of the lid intermediate of the ends thereof, the free end of the leaf being inserted under the angle iron when the lid and leaf are closed upon 'each other, and securing means for holding the lid and leaf closed upon each other, whereby to lock the parts in closed position upon the crate.

3. The combination of a crate, a keeper projecting inwardly from one side of the crate, a lid independent of the crate and inserted at one end under the keeper, a second keeper projecting inwardly from the opposite side of the crate below the other end of the lid to constitute a rest therefor in the closed position of the same, a leaf hinged at one end to the under side of the lid intermediate of the ends thereof, the free end of the leaf being inserted under the second keeper when the lid and leaf are closed upon each other and upon the crate, and securing means for holding the lid and leaf closed upon each other, whereby to lock the parts in closed position upon the crate.

t. In a crate, box, or shipping case having vertical extensions at opposite sides, angle irons applied to the inner faces of said extensions, their horizontal wings extending inwardly, a lid having one end engaged under the horizontal wing of the angle iron at one end, a plate hinged to said lid and adapted to engage under the horizontal wing of the other angle iron, which latter is confined between said hinged plate and lid, and means for securing the hinged plate and lid when closed upon each other and upon the crate.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY 1-1. BoENKER. 1,. 3.

Witnesses:

I I. G. RAUCH, M. C. RAUOH. 

